This is a great library with many valuable resources. However, there are some concerns that could be addressed to improve the environment for everyone who visits. The area near the entrance is often occupied by individuals who appear to be spending extended periods there and there is sometimes a strong odor by the entrance that makes the space uncomfortable. On one occasion when I came to study, I was unable to find a table with an available charging port for my laptop because several outlets were being used continuously for charging phones. It would be helpful if the library could take steps to better manage these issues and ensure the space remains clean, welcoming and safe for families, students and all community members. read more

Very clean. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Also place to stay cool and hydrated. You can rent movies, read magazines and even open your mind and your heart to new ideas for better self and knowledge for better job. read more

Lance was very helpful and friendly. Knows his craft. Very committed to his craft. The purpose of my visit was to print an about 24 documents, three copies each, which came out to 93 individual black & white pages; total cost $9.30. Because of Lance's assistance I was able to complete in about 5 minutes or less! read more

Cesar Chavez Central Library - Copy station - Libraries Near Me - Stockton, California

Such a large children's section! My kids love this location! I remember it feeling like such a magical place when I was little. All of the staff are so helpful. Security does a great job keeping an eye on the more questionable patrons and making them leave when needed. read more

I love books and I love this library! I've been coming since I was kid and I bring all the kids in my family. I love Lori at the check out desk, so warm and nice and answers all the questions and helps with it all. The library hours on their website, not on yelp, are up to date. Clean. Covid rules applied. They re-painted the outside to white which I think is a hige improvement, but not much else inside. Computers for use, self check out, self pick up, guard, printer available, seating, etc. Lots of online resources now for e-books & audiobooks so no need to come by anymore to be honest, but its still here and quiet. Same street parking. read more

Cesar Chavez Central Library - Greetings from the library - Libraries Near Me - Stockton, California

Cesar Chavez Library in Stockton, California. Okay parking here can be a little tricky, you only get one hour free parking surrounding the library. You can park down the street but it cost and you only get an hour. So get ready to fight for some parking. There is free WiFi here and it's pretty good in my opinion. there is also an upstairs to go along with the downstairs for this library. The bonus they have an elevator for those who do need it. Also restrooms on the top floor. There is a little café with outside seating for those who want a snack. Plus there is a very nice kids section filled with books and computers. If you have children 18 and under this library serves them lunch. Also for the teens, they have a section too. They also have computers for them as well. In the back of the top floor there is a computer room for those who need it. Also for the smokers, there is a smoking area out in the front for you. Right above the smoking area is a ramp for those with strollers or a wheelchair. Also there is bike parking for those who ride. There are security guards for your protection on both floors, just in case people be acting a fool. I come here from time to time to donate movies and books. All you do is bring the items to the front counter. They will take them, the best part someone else will enjoy them as much as you did. So if you have books, magazines, cd's, VHS or anything, just donate it. I for one like coming to the library a lot. It's realy fun to sit back and relax for a bit. Sometimes I'll bring my Mom here so she can check out some books. She's like me, she could be here for horurs. I am not sure what type of programs this location has to offer, since I never took any here. So I'll look into them on my next visit. So yeah I do like to read. Sincerly VD. read more

See all

One time I was locked out of my apartment for the weekend with my keys, ID card, and four inch heels from a stupid night of clubbing. What can you do with that combination? Go to the library and get a library card! Thus how I stumbled across Cesar Chavez. My favorite spot is the little island going from the first floor to the second floor and so far nobody has spread themselves across and hoarded the area. The restrooms are a bit grimy and the whole library has a very old-school feel but hey it's still a library and I like libraries on principle. Many internet-less people flock here for the computers so be prepared to wait. The hours are dismal, but if this library isn't open on a certain day usually another one in town is. This location is a favorite haunt of many a homeless person. They spend a while in the restrooms but they don't bother anybody. If you have extra food you'd like to bless others with, I would recommend starting here. read more

It doesn't look too bad from the outside. Sad thing is, most libraries these days rarely look new, renovated, or modern. Reading is a lost art, research muddled down to Wikipedia and your ever friendly noun, adjective, and verb Google. The Perks: This location isn't bad, and its in the nicer area of downtown Stockton. It has a cafe up above the library and you could actually still catch yourself spending a few hours here unknowingly. They have a kids side of the library. Yes, you read that right! Not a kids section, a whole kids SIDE complete with staffing, small tables and chairs, computers, etc. Neat touch. They have a computer room on the second level with about 20 computers, as well as various computers scattered throughout the library. You can check out DVD's, and they have some good modern ones, as well as music CD's that are relevant as well. Couple of study rooms, print station, copy station. Cons: Horrendous hours!! Absolutely terrible hours and the fact that they're closed weekends absolutely kills my vibe. Computers are often taken. They do have time limits though. Fiction section is somewhat decent, but their non-fiction sections are sparse in a lot of areas, even though they have more non-fiction books than fiction. Not the most wide selection of books, but you can order books from the surrounding libraries. To get a library card you have to be a resident of Stockton, with valid proof no written documents or half assed attempts of proof. Huge problem. The library just has an old feel and you can tell not much of the tax money goes here, but it's a bit above a basic library and I've seen way smaller libraries in other cities. read more

Cesar Chavez Central Library - Some goodies - Libraries Near Me - Stockton, California

Support your local library. A mind expands with every sentence read. It is through our imagination that we invent and explore possibilities, that can take us to the greatest of heights. The Cesar Chavez Library is the place to go, if you want to make friends with Mr. Samuel Clemens. And why not Richard Matheson? He'll tell you all about the man who is legend. For whom does the bell toll? Ernest knows all about that. I absolutely love this library. read more

My favorite Great customer service with pride and knowledge, caring staff, willingness to help the public read more

Nearly a year. Its been almost one year since I was last employed and I use this library for my job search. Sad I know, but there was a period of time when I didn't have internet access. They sadly only let one use their seriously outdated public computers for 1 hour. :( Fairly spacious from what I could see and plenty of periodicals. Free WiFi is a plus. My peeves center around the decor and the hours. 70ish in style and somewhat dirty. The hours are my biggest gripe. They close at 5 or 6 daily which is far too early for the MAIN library. State cutbacks are a bitch. read more

Cesar Chavez Library! what can i say? lol I've been going here ever since i was a youngster. My mom would take my older sis my two little brothers and myself to pick out books to read. I used to get the I spy, Dr.suess, wheres waldo?, si for kids,ghost stories books and then gradually moved up the food chain of books and magazines. This would happen for years and then i started using it mostly to stay up on books for school reports and reading required novels for class. After that i have been going pretty consistently for my own personal reading now that i am done with school. The library is pretty old school but they do have a large selection of books which is the important thing. Kids books are on the bottom floor to the right and adults section are located on the left side of the building. You can reserve books online now too and pick them up which beats having to call in when i was young. My card is old and doesn't scan but they have self-checkouts. Not the greatest part of town but come in the daytime and you shouldn't have a problem. Don't know if They have a cafe on the 2nd floor now too. It's been there for a few years but i haven't tried it yet. I believe the library it used to be open 7 days a week and about 8 or 9 am til 6 or 8pm most nights. Now its open 5 days a week and its usually from 10am or 12 pm to about 6pm due to cuts. There are free parking spots across the street but sometimes its full and you have use the meters or park on the other side of the building which is not a far walk. read more

Watch your six, can be a dangerous area outside and in. Homeless/vagrant population seems to be rather high in town, and many wander around the library and use library resources as well. I'm only in town for six days, so don't know if this is normal for the area or not. They have security guards that watch the front entrance and occasionally patrol the area. Unfortunately, none were nearby when I got punched in the head as I was walking by someone. No provocation, just outright punched me full force on the side of my head as I walked by on my way to the restroom upstairs. The guy then left, and guards said he would be banned from reentry. Library staff will recommend removing anything valuable from your car or it will be broken into (common sense these days anyway). Glad this library exists with public access and services for anyone. Unfortunately, with this area that means you may need to be a little more cautious and aware of your surroundings when you're there. Pros: Upstairs area has plenty of tables and chairs for writing or studying Free Wifi with great bandwidth Cons: Bathrooms are sketchy, dirty, smelly (typical of any restroom with open public access) Occasionally violent patrons (I assume/hope this isn't regular) read more

This library has always rocked. I remember late nights here, sleeping here. Our dad used to drop us all off here with my Ate (Older Sister) so she could do some research. It was either that or stay at home listening to him yell and/or get drunk. So here we were, in annals written of everything hidden, awaiting to be discovered. We would read all her pages, sleep on her studied, faded-stained oak tables, wait upon her cement benches, long into the night when dad would remember we were still there. Hardly ominous, full of adventure & mystery, it held my fright & fellowship in her bosom...but more my sister. But me too! And here I am, back in her longing columns and atop her tiles, hardly just books, is my home away from home. P.S. no misspelled words in this review. read more

The library's a great place to work on things, especially upstairs sitting at one of the spacious tables along the windows facing the courtyard. And if you sit in the special roped area by Ola's Cafe, you can even eat and drink with abandon (and with a clear conscience). Ola's free WiFi gets you connected to the Net from just about anywhere you sit. The librarians have never failed to be anything but helpful. Why not five stars? The surly, old, runty security guard who mad-dogs you as he makes his rounds yet fails to rein in unruly children and some of the unemployables who want to hang out there and gab loudly with pals. And free WiFi but no outlets to plug laptops into? C'mooooonnnnn!!!!!!!!!!!!! read more

My 6 month old & I enjoys going to different libraries for story time. And Cesar Chavez library is one of our favorite libraries. Yes, given that the exterior building is outdated, ultimately still a good library worth enjoying. They have a designated children's section and a beautifully painted walls that speaks volume of how learning should be for children. Storytellers are amazing! The library's security guard is right beside the children's section so for parents who are concern about security, they have that covered. Parking though is a bit tricky but other than that a great place to definitely visit with your kids. read more

Cesar Chavez Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Stockton, California

See all

My son loves this library! The kid section is so family/kid friendly. There is plenty of space to play and lots of books and toys to explore! read more

Here are the pros and then the cons: Pros of Chavez Library: * awesome murals in entryway and in kids' section * nice staff * coffee area * central location * spacious Cons of Chavez Library: *kids' section has shrunk its collection visibly and I think they no longer have a children's librarian. * too many VHS videos and not even DVDs * street parking requires meters, OR you have a time limit *grumpy guard Sadly, the city may close the Troke branch--the only branch between Chavez and Lodi's little library, over 10 miles away. Troke is the busiest branch too, and the one I prefer. It's the only one I would go to after dark, for example. If the city closes Troke, I will have no choice but Chavez, or MAYBE I will forgo libraries altogether and waste all my time on the Internet, just like I'm doing now . . . read more

I remember coming to this library when I couldn't find the book that I want from another library. It's two-story building and it's pretty big too. It's really quiet and what they did is that they separate the kids books from the adult books. It's actually pretty good so that kids can roam around in one building of that section while older kids and other adults can enjoy some nice and quiet time at the other section. They have most of the books on shelf and almost any kind of book you're looking for. Well, I DID say "almost" but not all the time though. Just as long as you have your library card to check out then you're good to go. It's free to sign up for a library card but just watch out the due date when you check your books out. Once it's past due you'll incur a late fee and you have to pay them. The only thing that's bad about this library is parking. This library is located in downtown Stockton so you either park on the side of the street in front of the building or you pay the meter and it's good for 30 minutes before the meter is up. So watch out for that meter! read more

Thank Cesar Chavez Central Library for using your computers. Most of the time it's quit. A lot of the security gaurds are cool. One of the counter people was rude and slow but other than that it's ok as long as i don't go out side and smell the urine read more

Ok this update is only for the S&J International Cafe in the Library. I tried it for the first time and Wow!!!! It is ran buy a couple of guys who know how to treat people. I haven't tried their coffee but I did try the hot dog chips and soda combo which was only 3 dollars and some change. The hot dog was decent but what sets it apart is how I was treated as their customer. First of all the guy behind the counter said let me wash my hands before he made my food. They gave me a cup of ice to go with my soda and brought my food out to the patio when it was ready. If you want a cheap lunch while downtown or need to feed your hunger after perusing books all day this is the place. These guys rock. read more

OK place to work in with a laptop. Not too many outlets; they tend to be on blue posts here and there. Internet feels laggy, although measures 1Mb down / 0.44 up with highish ping. Bathrooms are a little sketch. Not sure when the cafe on the second floor is open... Too bad the hours here are not so good. read more

a world of knowledge, right here in stockton! aaaaaaaaaand you can borrow CDs and DVDs! way less intimidating than the UOP library (if you are no longer a student and officially too old to be hanging out on campus...errr...) read more